CANTON | School shooting threat rattles parents

CANTON, Ga. -- A message posted to Facebook last week warned of a possible Columbine-style shooting at a Cherokee County middle school, leaving hundreds of parents worried about their children's safety.

The post, which has since been pulled from Facebook, begins with "EVERYONE LISTEN UP!!!" and goes on to warn of "some kind of shooting at Dean Rusk" Middle School in Canton. The message claimed the shooting "would be just as bad or worse" than the Columbine massacre in 1999.

Several parents were concerned that the school district did not take the threat seriously.

"If it's being talked about, it needs to be taken seriously," said one mother who asked to remain anonymous. "If it comes down to taking [my daughter] out of school -- if that's what it's going to take to prove a point to the school district, then I will."

Cherokee County School District spokeswoman Carrie Budd released a statement on behalf of Superintendent Dr. Frank Petruzielo Monday afternoon:

CCSD Police and the administration of Dean Rusk MS have been investigating since Friday allegations that a Dean Rusk MS student made a threat to bring a firearm to school this week. Appropriate personnel are continuing to conduct interviews; the student alleged to have made the threat withdrew from school this morning. If any allegations of student misconduct are established during the course of this ongoing investigation, appropriate legal and/or administrative actions will be taken.